Hohner Super 64X chromatic harmonica review

Fine Professional Instrument

First off, the black cover Hohner Super 64X is not the same instrument as the lower priced 280C, and the Super 64X is in another quality category entirely.

Let’s start with the basics: the Hohner Super 64X is a 4 octave chromatic harmonica (which means you get all the sharps and flats and can thus play virtually anything in western music) over 4 octaves from C3 to D7, which range is larger than a violin or trumpet.

On the far left hole #1…when you blow, you get C3 on a piano,(which is one full octave under middle C,) and by progressing up the harmonica with appropriate blows and draws you progress through 4 octaves and end up at the far right hole (actual hole #16) where you’ll have B/C/C#/D, with D7 being the highest note on this harp.

I find the double thickness reed plates a SIGNIFICANT plus for this instrument tonally…you get a much richer tone, with more body and projection. It’s a more complex timbre or tonal harmonica footprint, which is very pleasing to the ear.

The brass reeds have a lovely sweet sound, which I am partial to, and this instrument has a transparent ABS comb.

The gold plated mouthpiece is fab, and I suppose gold makes the best plating material.

On the downside, the harp leaks air a bit more than a Seydel Saxony, take off points.

CUSTOMIZATIONS: The Hohner Super 64X has some minor flaws which you can fix pretty easily when you become a bit more comfortable with the instrument. 1) A key customization to a Super 64X to bring it up to snuff is to smooth the upper surface of the plastic comb, as it is not flat from factory. This is important because the checkered “blank” sits on top of the comb, then the slide, then the mouthpiece. You want that comb perfectly flat. If you are comfortable performing customizations, take the harmonica completely apart removing the reeds plates and spring, and place 500 grit sandpaper on glass, then sand gently until the entire surface of the top of the comb (the part that interfaces with the mouthpiece assembly) shows signs of being sanded. Look very carefully at the center reed channels as they polish out last, ends polish first. Then clean, and reassemble, you’ll notice a big difference.

Another way to get an airtight harp is to purchase one, such as the top flight Psardo Elite or Gold Bar, or the new Seydel Symphony…highly recommended.